I've been cruising on this thread for a bit and have a quick question. I understand there are different methods for drying hops and what I've seen indicates food dehydrators are OK if you have one capable of low temp dehydration.
I got a dehydrator as a gift that has a low temp (95F) setting. That seems to be the recommended setting for dehydrator usage. But I had a couple of other questions:
1. Time - How long do I dry the cones on this setting?
2. Multiple harvests? - I am harvesting from a second year cascade bine. I noticed the first cones about a week ago. I now have several cones (in multiples of 10s). But all seem to be developing at different rates. Do I wait until everything is ready to harvest, or do I use the squeeze test and harvest and dry as they mature?
3. Best storage? I am thinking about investing in a vacuum sealer. Is that necessary or can I double-wrap them in freezer bags that I have just pressed all the air out of? That of course would go into the freezer for LT storage.
I got a dehydrator as a gift that has a low temp (95F) setting. That seems to be the recommended setting for dehydrator usage. But I had a couple of other questions:
1. Time - How long do I dry the cones on this setting?
2. Multiple harvests? - I am harvesting from a second year cascade bine. I noticed the first cones about a week ago. I now have several cones (in multiples of 10s). But all seem to be developing at different rates. Do I wait until everything is ready to harvest, or do I use the squeeze test and harvest and dry as they mature?
3. Best storage? I am thinking about investing in a vacuum sealer. Is that necessary or can I double-wrap them in freezer bags that I have just pressed all the air out of? That of course would go into the freezer for LT storage.